Seven Decades of Japanese Guitar Making Excellence
Necessity is the mother of invention. For Aria Guitars, that necessity started in Nagoya, Japan, in 1956 — growing from an inspired pursuit of classical tone into one of the most respected brands in guitar history.
Shiro Arai, a classical guitarist, founded Arai & Co., Inc. after realizing how difficult it was to source fine nylon strings in post-war Japan. By importing legendary Augustine strings and Jose Ramirez guitars, Arai laid the groundwork for decades of manufacturing innovation, pioneering original designs, and crafting instruments played on world stages.
From Classical Import Roots to Export Production
With the global surge of rock ’n’ roll, Arai quickly broadened operations to include acoustic and electric instruments. In 1960, the company initiated its own guitar production, crafting hollowbody and steel-string models. Solidbody electrics debuted in 1963 under the brand name Aria — an anagram of the founder's surname, Arai.
To serve international demand, particularly across the North American market, Aria forged an alliance with Matsumoku Industrial in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Matsumoku's master woodworking transformed Aria into a global guitar exporter recognized for exceptional structural stability and neck alignment.
Shiro Arai Founder & Visionary 
Arai & Co., Inc. Historic Nagoya Headquarters 
First Catalog Published in 1956 
Export Edition 1960s International Line The Birth of Aria Pro II & The Legendary PE-1500
In 1975, the "Aria Pro II" marque was officially established. Designed exclusively for professional electric instruments, the brand combined "PRO" for uncompromising roadworthy performance with "II" to signify being consistently one step ahead of market trends.
In 1976, Aria Pro II introduced its flagship creation: the PE-1500. Featuring a sculpted arched top, smooth heel-less neck cutaway, and versatile electronics, it redefined the single-cut solidbody format. It quickly gained high-profile players including Neal Schon (Journey), Andy Summers (The Police), and Gerry Cott (The Boomtown Rats).
In 1978, the limited-edition PE-1000U showcased authentic Japanese Urushi lacquer craftsmanship, demonstrating Aria's ability to blend ancient Japanese fine arts with modern musical instrument engineering.
PE-1500 Prototype Original Single-Cut Flagship 
Touring Artists The Police & Boomtown Rats 
PE-1000U Urushi Mastercraft Lacquer Edition The SB Super Bass Era: An Iconic Metal Benchmark
The late 1970s brought the introduction of the Aria Pro II SB (Super Bass) series. Engineered around dense multi-laminate neck-through construction and high-output MB humbuckers, the SB-1000 became a benchmark instrument in modern music history.
The SB series became the definitive bass of Cliff Burton (Metallica), Jack Bruce, John Taylor (Duran Duran), Cronos (Venom), Michael Anthony (Van Halen), and Rudy Sarzo (Whitesnake). During the 1980s, Aria expanded its portfolio with the Rev-Sound series (RS-850/RS-1000Z), Herb Ellis signature PE-175 jazz archtop, and the RS Esprit favored by Yngwie Malmsteen.
George Lynch famously relied on an Aria Pro II acoustic for key recordings on Dokken’s multi-platinum album Tooth and Nail, cementing Aria’s reputation across varied genres.
SB-1000 Catalog Historic 1978 Debut 
Cliff Burton Metallica's Iconic Bassist 
Rudy Sarzo Signature SB-RSZ 
Jack Bruce SB-1000 Stage Rig Modern Innovations, Artist Signatures & The Platinum Collection
Throughout the 1990s and beyond, Aria continued introducing technical advancements. The carve-top MA series inspired contemporary ergonomic guitars, while the SWB electric upright bass line utilized custom Fishman piezo pickups to bridge classical upright touch with amplified stage power. Notable collaborations included exclusive Ventures signature models and the IGB (Integra) bass line played by Billy Gould of Faith No More.
In 2013, Aria proudly announced the official Cliff Burton Signature Bass (SB-Black 'n Gold I replica) at NAMM with the endorsement of Cliff's father, Ray Burton. Current Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo frequently chooses SB basses on world tours to honor that classic legacy.
Today, the Made-in-Japan Platinum Collection revives flagship instruments including the SB-1000, PE-1500, and TA-Tonic, maintaining Aria's seven-decade commitment to tone, durability, and craftsmanship for distributors and musicians worldwide.
Billy Gould IGB-550 Bass Performance 
Ray Burton NAMM 2013 Tribute 
SB-Black 'n Gold I Signature Collector Edition 
Robert Trujillo Metallica Live Sets Built for Global Music Distributors
Aria Guitars supplies authorized importers, specialty retailers, and educational music institutions across more than 60 countries.
Authentic Provenance
Over 70 years of unbroken design integrity directed from Nagoya, Japan, offering your customers authentic pedigree rather than transient white-label branding.
Stringent Japanese QC
Every shipment follows standardized technical criteria for fretwork dressing, moisture-controlled tonewood aging, and reliable hardware assembly.
Dedicated Supply Chain
Direct factory channel coordination, dependable shipment schedules, and comprehensive support for local territory dealer networks.
Partner with Aria Guitars
Whether you are expanding your dealership catalog, seeking national distribution distribution rights, or ordering custom production batches, our export team is here to assist.
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